A 12-point action plan to ensure South Woodham Ferrers develops into a more thriving community beyond the millennium has been given the official seal of approval by the town's newly re-elected council chairman, Muriel Gower.

A resident herself for the past 15 years she is determined to persuade local people to fully back the town's action plan in which "there is something for all age groups.''

Mrs Gower, who took over the role of chairman in March, was re-elected last week at a full meeting of the town council.

"We will be working on all these objectives simultaneously and anything we and others can do to help the town thrive, we will do," she said.

The list of 12 objectives on the action plan includes:

Champions Manor Hall: development of community and leisure facilities.

Clubs and organisations: encouraging and supporting the groups.

Healthy, safe and secure environment: support for the provision of CCTV and traffic calming measures and maintaining pressure on the appropriate authorities for the provision of local Health facilities.

Swimming pool: supporting the current initiative towards the provision of a swimming pool

Town regeneration: raising the town's profile and encouraging and maintaining local businesses and employment opportunities.

Youth facilities: encouraging Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council to increase and improve the services for youngsters.

Mrs Gower said: "Continuing the development of facilities at Champions Manor Hall is of great importance to me, as are of course the other objectives of the council.

"Our list is extremely thorough as it covers different aspects of community life and there really is something for all age-groups."

Other objectives in-clude enhancing the Garden of Remembrance and maintaining the common land at Woodham Fenn.

Mrs Gower has been heavily involved in community life for many years.

As well as spending 11 years on the town council, she has also been a member of the arts council for some time.

"My children have all grown up here and gone to school here so I do have a good idea of where the problems lie.

"I've been involved in activities such as the cubs and majorettes."

Mrs Gower also spoke of her desire to make the council more approachable to the public.

"There is very good community spirit in South Woodham and the councillors do have a lot of contact with residents," she said.

"It's always good to see members of the public coming to our meetings and one of my objectives is to let the residents know what the council is all about and to encourage them to be more involved."

Mrs Gower hopes to introduce an open day during the forth-coming year, to invite residents to visit the council offices and talk to councillors.

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